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Breaking down the New Orleans Pelicans' roster

Anthony Davis : Pelicans vs. Hawks

New Orleans Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis (23) walks off the court during a time out against the Atlanta Hawks at the New Orleans Arena on Wednesday, February 5, 2014. (Photo by Brett Duke, Nola.com | The Times-Picayune)

The remaking of the New Orleans Pelicans' roster still isn't complete.

A year after massive personnel turnover, the Pelicans will again be tweaking.

Just days before the start of the NBA free agency frenzy, Pelicans general manager Dell Demps already has begUn making changes to the team. He has worked out a trade for Houston center Omer Asik and shipped out the rights to guard Pierre Jackson for former Louisville guard Russ Smith, who was selected in the second round with the 47th overall pick in Thursday's draft.

With free agency set to begin July 1, the Pelicans likely will be players early on, albeit not for any of the top-dollar players.

"Obviously we are always looking to improve our roster," Demps said. "There is no doubt about that. To say I anticipate it (making early moves)... Is it possible? Yes. Likely? It's hard to say right now."

Whatever decisions Demps and the Pelicans make regarding the continuous transformation of the roster, they'll do so after having carefully evaluated their current players.

Here's a breakdown of where the Pelicans' roster stands heading into the start of free agency.

-- PF Anthony Davis: The franchise player, Davis likely will be a Pelican until at least past 2016 when he will become a restricted free agent and the Pelicans will be able to match any offer he receives.

After Davis made his first All-Star team last season when he led the Pelicans in scoring (20.8) and rebounding (10.0) and led the league in blocks (2.8 ), the Pelicans are scrambling to put as much talent around him as soon as possible to maximize the budding superstar's potential.

Contract status: One year ($5.6 million), plus a team option ($7.0 million) in 2015-2016.

-- PG Jrue Holiday: Despite having his name come up in some trade rumors, Holiday is the Pelicans point guard of the present and future.

He missed more than half the season with a stress fracture in his tibia in his first campaign in New Orleans after being obtained last year in a draft-day trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. But in the 34 games he played, Holiday showed promise, averaging 14.3 points and 7.9 assists, while also playing strong perimeter defense.

Contract status: Three years, $33 million remaining.

-- SG Tyreke Evans: Early on it appeared the trade to bring in Evans, a former Rookie of the Year performer with Sacramento, was a disaster.

Evans, though, made tremendous strides once he was placed in the starting lineup, something the Pelicans are expected to give serious consideration to this upcoming season.

-- PF Ryan Anderson: Because of his ability to shoot and his salary ($8.5 million), Anderson is a coveted asset and his name often has come up in trade rumors.

While a source has repeatedly said Anderson, who continues to recover from surgery to repair a herniated disc, is not on the trade block, it's no guarantee that the sharp-shooting forward, who has made 38.6 percent of his 3-pointers, won't continue to have his name brought up in trade talks.

The Pelicans likely will have to make a roster move to absorb the contract of Asik, whom the Pelicans will send a 2015 first round draft pick to Houston for. So until that happens, teams will inquire about the availability of Anderson.

Contract status: Two years, $17 million.

-- SG Eric Gordon: Despite being often injured, Gordon remains one of the Pelicans' most talented players. But his contract and series of injuries has alienated him with the fan base and perhaps with some inside the organization.

Once regarded as one of the best young shooting guards in the NBA, Gordon, who averaged 15.4 points a game before a knee injury that required surgery ended his season, isn't as explosive as he used to be.

Although it'll be difficult for the Pelicans to find a trade partner for Gordon, the team likely will keep searching for one.

Contract status: One year ($14.9 million), plus a player option ($15.5 million) in 2015-2016.

-- PG/SG Austin Rivers: The No. 10 overall pick in the 2012 draft, Rivers continues to make progress under coach Monty Williams. His ability to penetrate and beat defenders off the dribble is one of his strongest attributes.

Many inside the organization believe Rivers will eventually develop into a key contributor. But because the Pelicans need to create some salary cap space, Rivers has emerged as one of the most likely candidates to be traded in the coming week or so.

Contract status: One year ($2.4 million), plus a team option ($3.1 million) in 2015-2016.

-- C Alexis Ajinca: In his first season in New Orleans, Ajinca some nice moments. The 7-foot-2 Frenchman averaged 5.9 points and 4.9 rebounds. But he struggled with foul trouble and the speed of the NBA game.

He did score major points with the coaching staff by deciding to stay in town and travel to Las Vegas later this summer to workout with Davis and other Pelican big men. If he continues to develop, he could be a nice backup to Asik.

Contract status: One year, $981,000.

-- C Jeff Withey: As the year wore on, Withey got more playing time and caught the attention of the coaching staff. He figures to battle Ajinca for the backup center position next season.

Contract status: One year, $816,000 (non-guaranteed).

-- F Luke Babbitt: He did a solid job filling in for an injured Anderson this past season. Babbitt is a decent 3-point shooter, and the Pelicans could decide to keep him around.

Contract status: One year, $981,000 (non-guaranteed).

-- F Melvin Ely: The Pelicans picked up Ely when they needed help in the post last season. They likely won't need his services this upcoming season, though. Expect to see his contract added as a trade filler.

Contract status: One, year, $1.3 million.

-- PG Brian Roberts: Roberts was put in a tough position this past season, and he performed well under those circumstances. After Holiday suffered his injury, Roberts stepped up and started 42 games, averaging 9.4 points and 3.3 assists.

The Pelicans like Roberts' skills, but the team hasn't decided yet if it will extend Roberts a qualifying offer ($2.8 million) to make him a restricted free agent. The team has until June 30 to make a decision. It if doesn't extend a qualifying offer, Roberts would become an unrestricted free agent. Even then, the Pelicans could still re-sign him.

-- SG Anthony Morrow: The Pelicans have not hidden the fact that they like Morrow and would love for the sharp-shooting guard to return.

But after Morrow opted out of the second-year of his contract following a season in which he made 45.1 percent of his 3-pointers and resurrected his career, he could be in line for a nice payday as an unrestricted free agent.

If, as expected, Morrow commands a salary in the $4 million-range, the Pelicans won't be able to re-sign him.

Contract status: Unrestricted.

-- SF Al-Farouq Aminu: He was a solid contributor on the boards and defensive end in his three seasons in New Orleans. But his offensive game never developed. It would be a surprise if the Pelicans re-signed him.

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent.

-- PF/C Jason Smith: Another solid contributor, Smith is valued as a player and a locker room leader. But he has been plagued by injuries and the team could be preparing to go in another direction for its backup post positions. There is a slight chance he could be brought back at the right price, though.